Genotypic characterisation of rhizobia nodulating Vicia faba from the soils of Jordan: a comparison with UK isolates

Seven isolates of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae (Rlv) that nodulate faba beans (Vicia faba) from six sites in Jordan were characterised for chromosomal (glnII) and symbiotic (nodD–F) genotypes using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods. The results were compared to those obtained in a previous UK study, to determine whether or not the UK field population are indigenous or if they were dispersed during the radiation of V. faba domestication. All seven Jordanian isolates displayed novel chromosomal and symbiotic genotypes not identified in the UK population.